Closing Remarks by Mrs. Bush at the White House Symposium on Advancing Global Literacy: Building a Foundation for Freedom
Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, New York

12:11 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Director Matsuura. Thank you for your
very strong leadership on this issue that's so important for every person
worldwide.

I want to especially thank all our panelists, the people who hosted the
regional conferences. Thank you for sharing what happened at those
conferences. And then to the two directors of LIFE and LAMP -- thank you
for your good work and for telling us about what you're working on.

I also want to thank Director Matsuura for asking me to continue as the
Honorary Ambassador through 2012. Thank you very much for that.
(Applause.)

My life's work has been dedicated to promoting the written word. As you
all know, I was a teacher and a librarian, and my happiest pastime is
reading. So this will be really fun and an interesting way in retirement
for me to continue working on this issue that's been important to me my
whole life.

I look forward to continuing to work with each of you after George and I
leave the White House. We'll be going home to our home state of Texas.
And so I hope to continue to work with you as you promote literacy in each
of your home countries.

I've seen how our efforts to reduce illiteracy are making a difference in
nations around the world, and I look forward to continuing this work with
each one of you.

We need to continue, just like Director Matsuura said, to insist that
governments and private sector institutions invest in ending illiteracy.
And we all need to rededicate ourselves to reaching out to the populations
that are most in need, including children without access to schools and
families who are displaced by violence.

The conversations that we've had here in New York are a good start. Thank
you very much to every one of the speakers. I look forward to my work with
all of you in the years ahead.

Now, it's my pleasure to invite you to the Temple of Dendur for lunch and
for entertainment.